Doing home improvement projects is fun and exciting. But it’s important to remember that doing jobs yourself comes with risks. No matter how big or small your projects are, plenty of potentially hazardous situations can come into play, including cuts from tools, falling off a ladder, tripping over debris or equipment, and so much more.
To help you stay safe and avoid potential home improvement disasters, here are seven safety tips and guidelines that you can follow.
Always wear protective gear
Before you start working on your home improvement project, you must make sure that you’re wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment such as:
- Hands: Gloves and barrier creams
- Foot: Shoes or boots
- Eyes: Safety goggles, face shields, or visors
- Head: Hard hat, helmets, caps
- Skin: Sunscreen, long-sleeved clothes
- Lungs: Dust mask, gas filter
- Ears: Ear muffs or plugs
- And if you’re working from heights: harness and fall arrest devices
Regardless of your experience level in doing jobs yourself – these types of equipment are necessary for keeping you safe and protected.
Use the appropriate tools for the job
You can’t safely and effectively do a job without using the right tools. Imagine hitting a nail using a wrench—it wouldn’t work. When you use a tool that’s not fit for what you want to accomplish, you’re more likely to get hurt.
Make sure you’re familiar with the tools required to complete the job
Before picking up the tools you need, make sure you know exactly how to use them. There are two main tool categories: Hand and power tools. Hand tools are pretty straightforward to use as they’re not powered by a battery, fuel, or electricity. On the other hand, power tools are more complex because of the motor that drives their operation. Whatever tools you decide to use for your project, make sure that you’ve done enough research or read the instruction manual on how to operate them safely and effectively.
Set up an organized working area
When working on a project, you have to be mindful of not only your safety but of people around you as well. Keep children and pets away from your work area to avoid unforeseen accidents. And also, make sure to clean your area to prevent injuries, as there may be situations where you could slip because of a wet floor or trip because of debris or equipment left lying on the floor.
Store your tools properly and keep them organized
Imagine putting all your tools and supplies in one shallow box, and one day you needed a screwdriver. You dipped your hand inside the shallow box to find the screwdriver, and you accidentally cut your hand on some sharp object concealed in a pile of supplies and tools. That kind of situation is avoidable if you have organized all your tools and supplies appropriately. If you haven’t had a chance to organize your tools, now is the time to do so.
Maintain good lighting in your work area
If you’re working inside your garage or basement, make sure that it has bright lighting. Poor lighting can affect your eyesight and cause work errors that may lead to accidents. Purchasing a new bulb is a no-brainer if it can help you avoid accidents and stay safe.
Know your limits and avoid working when tired
It may be tempting to finish your home improvement project as fast as possible, but it’s best to work at your own pace and not rush anything. When you’re tired, your reaction time is slowed down by half, which could lead to mental errors that you could’ve avoided if you saved the job for another day. So next time you feel tired, take a break and continue whenever you’re ready.
Final Reminder
It’s easy to overlook safety when you’re so excited to start working on this new amazing project, but it’s the last thing you would want to ignore. Regardless of your project’s size, remember: safety comes first.
Do you have some outdoor projects that you’d like to do yourself? Check out Struck products by requesting a FREE digital info kit below.
